Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Dog with back leg weakness treated by minimally invasive spine surgery
By Guevar, Julien & Olby, Natasha·Published in Veterinary Surgery·2019·University of Wisconsin‐Madison School of Veterinary Medicine Madison Wisconsin·View original on Crossref →
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Original publication title: Minimally invasive microsurgical decompression of an intervertebral disc protrusion in a dog
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A 4-year-old neutered male German shepherd was brought in for worsening weakness in his back legs and pain in his lower back. He was diagnosed with a bulging disc that was pressing on his spinal cord. The vet performed a minimally invasive surgery to relieve the pressure, which involved a small incision and special techniques to minimize muscle damage. After the surgery, the dog showed no immediate worsening of his condition and was able to go home after three days. At a follow-up seven weeks later, he had fully recovered with normal movement and no complications.
People also search for: dog back leg weakness · German shepherd disc surgery · minimally invasive spine surgery for dogs
Abstract
AbstractObjectiveTo report the successful treatment of intervertebral disc protrusion with minimally invasive microsurgery in a large breed dog.Study designRetrospective case report.AnimalA 4‐year‐old, neutered male, German shepherd dog presented with chronic progressive ambulatory paraparesis and thoracolumbar pain; lumbar intervertebral disc protrusion and severe spinal cord compression at L2‐L3 were diagnosed.MethodsA minimally invasive approach was used to access the target surgical area by using a muscle splitting technique and retractors. Intraoperative fluoroscopy confirmed correct placement. Magnification and illumination through a surgical microscope were used (microsurgery) to perform the spinal cord decompression by means of a foraminotomy and lateral corpectomy.ResultsTechnically, the combination of fluoroscopy and muscle splitting approach offered adequate minimally invasive access. Microsurgery allowed for precise and efficient spinal cord decompression. Clinically, no immediate postoperative neurological deterioration was observed. Opioid usage was limited to 24 hours postoperatively. Focal muscle swelling was observed postoperatively for 2 days, and hospital stay was 3 days. At 7 weeks postoperatively, neurological examination results were normal, and postoperative MRI confirmed spinal cord decompression. No complications were reported.ConclusionThe procedure was associated with a small incision, limited muscle trauma, early improvement of the neurological status, a short hospital stay, and limited postoperative pain.Clinical significanceThis case provides evidence that minimally invasive microsurgery is an effective treatment for intervertebral disc protrusion in large breed dogs and may offer benefits regarding postoperative pain and functional recovery.
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Search related cases →Original publication on Crossref: https://doi.org/10.1111/vsu.13263